Ex-Modell’s owner forced to shut down week-old T-shirt site that offered Knicks-themed merch

The former owner of Modell’s Sporting Goods shuts down Knicks-themed merch website after cease-and-desist letter

Mitchell Modell, the former owner of Modell’s Sporting Goods, recently launched a website to sell Knicks-themed merchandise and other items. However, he had to take down the site just a week after its launch due to a cease-and-desist letter from the current owner of Modell’s, as reported by The Post.

Modell initially started the site to sell T-shirts following the Knicks’ NBA championship win but had to shut it down after receiving the legal notice. He then quickly launched a new website called mitchymos.com, offering a range of sports-themed apparel.

According to the cease-and-desist letter, Modell was accused of trademark infringement and unfair competition by using the Modell’s name in his new venture. The letter also mentioned a violation of a non-disclosure agreement between Modell and the current owner, Raj Gupta of Omni Retail Enterprises.

Despite attempts to buy back the Modell’s brand from Gupta, negotiations did not progress, leading to the closure of all physical Modell’s stores in 2020. Modell’s is now solely an e-commerce business.

The latest dispute between Modell and Gupta arose during talks to repurchase the brand, which ultimately fell through during the NBA championship season. Gupta cited a failure to adhere to agreed terms as the reason for the deal’s collapse.

Modell’s new e-commerce venture, mitchymos.com, offers various T-shirts with a portion of the proceeds going towards cancer research. The website promises to deliver the latest sports-themed apparel quickly to customers.

Gupta declined to comment on the recent developments between him and Modell.